Patrick Mahomes is now 4-4 against No. 1 defenses — and the trend is getting worse

The Kansas City Chiefs went to Seattle on Sunday expecting a road win and left with a 20-3 loss that felt nowhere near that close. But the score was only half the story — the game put a spotlight on a problem quarterback Patrick Mahomes keeps running into.

In a Week 7 wrap-up from the NFL's official site, writer Grant Gordon pointed out that Mahomes simply struggles whenever he faces the league's best defenses. Against weaker units he looks untouchable; against top-ranked ones, the numbers tell a different tale.

"Patrick Mahomes simply looked off all night long and continued his struggles playing against top-ranked defenses. He's now 4-4 (including playoffs) in his career versus No. 1 total defenses and lost his third straight in such games."

That losing streak stretches back through last season — a defeat to the Texans, then Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles — and now Seattle. Gordon also noted the Seahawks managed to fluster Mahomes while keeping running back Kenneth Walker III in check, something that should be concerning for Kansas City.

What comes next

The Chiefs have time to fix it. The season is young enough that one ugly road loss doesn't reshape the playoff picture, and few quarterbacks in the league can shake off a bad night like Mahomes can.

But the next test arrives fast. Kansas City faces the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and if the defense shows up ranked, the same question will follow Mahomes onto the field: can he finally break the pattern when the opponent actually scares you?